Loving Executives

That manufacture of the Bentayga SUV is ramping towards its target of 5,500 models annually, Bentley has already been mulling over how to proceed next. “At present we're evaluating at length the potential of getting the EXP 10 Speed 6 to production, or perhaps a Coupe Sports utility vehicle with similar wheelbase because the Bentayga,” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s Chief executive officer told us in the Geneva show.

The 2 aren’t mutually exclusive either. “I hope that people can understand both projects, but at the moment the coupe Sports utility vehicle is surface of my list. The EXP 10 will have to be an exciting new vehicle, which costs lots of money and is a reasonably burden on the shoulders,” Dürheimer described. You will see a choice which one comes first “by the finish of 2016.”

Like several good engineers, he’s spending so much time on a strategy to build both of them, and may possibly not function as the route you’d expect. We requested Durheimer whether co-developing the work and platform discussing using the Porsche Mission E four-door electric sports vehicle (already eco-friendly-lit for production in 2020) is into consideration because of the huge cost-saving implications? “Yes” he stated, searching us square within the eye.

“Our packaging men are presently searching at commonalities backward and forward, it requires lots of attention. But, when we make enough cash on the Bentayga then this can be a big possibility,” he added. Because of the Mission E concept was fitted with two motors delivering around 600bhp, an identical-sized powertrain could provide the perfect performance and refinement that the Bentley sports vehicle requires.

Bridging the space between then and today is a selection of plug-in hybrids. “There is definitely an EV hype right now, and that i comprehend it,Inches stated Dürheimer. “But the real luxurious experience, and it is expensive, is plug-in hybrid since you can always go wherever you would like. Fortunately, Bentley are less cost sensitive than most making this the direction we'll go.”

First of all may be the plug-in hybrid Bentayga (due in 2017 following the 4. V8 diesel version arrives) mixing a V6 gas engine with 70kg of batteries and an auto. EV range is anticipated to be with 30 miles, while total output is going to be around 500bhp. Dürheimer also confirmed exactly the same powertrain is going to be fitted to another-generation Continental GT.